Partition structure and lathing therefor



Dec. 13, 1938..

T. R. HERBEST, JR PARTITICN STRUCTURE AND LATHING THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1954 r Md INVENTOR. A e/2W MM 1 ATTORNEYJ" Dec. 13,1938. T. R. HERBEST, JR

PARTITION STRUCTURE AND LATHING THEREFOR Filed Nov. 15,.1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

rm A TTORNEYJ Dec. 13, 1938, TH. HERBEST. JR

PARTITION STRUCTURE AND LATHING THEREFOR Filed Nov 15, 1934 s Sheets-Sheet 3' INVENTOR.

W A TTORNEYJ Patented Dec. 13, 1938 UNITED STATES PARTITION STRUCTURE AND LATHING THEREFOR Thomas R. Herbest, Jr., Wheeling, W. Va., assignor to The Consolidated Expanded Metal Companies, Wheeling, W. Va., a corporation of West Virginia Application November 15, 1934, Serial No. 753,150

24 Claims.

This invention relates to partition structures and lathing, and is especially concerned with the type of lathing which is suitable for application to walls, ceilings, and the like, to be used as a plaster base or foundation. Still further the invention is particularly useful in connection with lathing of the type incorporating a foraminous, reticulated or expanded metal sheet and a backing composed of paper or the like positioned at one side of the metal sheet and preferably secured thereto.

Among the more important objects of the invention is the production of an improved lathing of this type which may readily and very economically be fabricated from relatively inexpensive materials.

The invention also has in View facilitating application and attachment of the lathing to studs or other supports. 4

Another object of the invention involves a novel means for securing the metal and backing sheets to each other. The improved method of attachment contemplates the use of adhesive material interposed between the two sheets and preferably arranged in spaced strips so as to secure highly effective attachment of the two sheets to each other and at the same time provide a more effective keying of the plaster or equivalent plastic material applied to the lathing.

Another more or less specific object of the invention involves the use of a keying means for the purpose of improving the bond between the adhesive material and the backing sheet.

Still further, the invention contemplates the use of a waterproof adhesive for the purpose already mentioned, which adhesive preferably has an asphaltic or tarry base. At this point it is noted that adhesive material of this general type gives rise to some difliculties under varying temperature conditions. Specifically, at relatively low temperatures, for example, below about 40 F., the adhesive becomes relatively brittle with the result that, in handling and in use, there is a tendency for the adhesive to crack off and thus impair the bond between the metal sheet and the backing sheet, especially the latter. With this in mind the invention contemplates the employment of a means for keying or improving the bond especially between the adhesive material and the backing sheet.

In considering this matter it should also be borne in mind that an adhesive of the tarry or asphaltic type has a tendency to soften appreciably at relatively high temperatures, for example, above 100 F. It must also be kept in mind that various adhesive compounds of the general nature here involved have the pro-per consistency to serve as an effective attachment means throughout different temperature ranges. The temperature range for any particular compound, however, is somewhat limited and it is with this in mind that I have provided a means for keying or increasing the bond between the adhesive and the backing sheet. With all of these factors taken into consideration, the present invention contemplates the use of an adhesive compound having several characteristics, as follows. In the first place, I preferably employ a compound which retains a consistency which is effective for securing the metal and backing sheets to each other over as wide a temperature range as possible. In the second place I contemplate utilizing an adhesive having a relatively high temperature range. within which its consistency is proper for maintaining the metal and backing sheets firmly secured to each other. In this way I avoid weakening of the attachment of the two sheets at relatively high temperatures, even above about 120 F. Even though the temperature range of this compound may be relatively high as indicated, I preserve or maintain a firm attachment at low temperatures by employing the keying means hereinbefore referred to.

Other objects of the invention include improvements in waterproofing of the lathing considered as a whole while providing a lathing having the other desirable characteristics already mentioned; and the arrangement of the backing sheet in a novel and improved manner especially in instances where the expander or other perforated metal incorporates strengthening ribs.

How the foregoing, together with other objects and advantages are. attained will be apparent from the following description, making reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a face view of the preferred form of my improved lathing as applied and attached to wall studs, an intermediate section of the meshwork being broken out so as more clearly to disclose features of the underlying backing sheet;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the section line 2-2 on Figure 1, this View also showing plaster applied to the lathing;

. Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of a wall or partition taken on the broken line 33 of Figure 1;

sheet of expanded metal and with plaster applied to the lathing;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure illustrating another modification; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view similar 'to' Figures 5 and 8 illustratinga still further modification.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the foraminous sheet is indicated by the numeral I8, this sheet preferably being of the diamond mesh expanded metal type which is especially suitable for the purposes of this invention. While the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 3 also illustrates strengthening ribs H applied to the expanded metal, it should be understood that a ribbed lath need not always be employed.

The backing sheet i2 is arranged at one side of the meshwork It and, as already indicated, is preferably attached by means of an adhesive material. Insofar as many features of the invention are concerned, it may also be possible to employ other types of attachment means, although I prefer the adhesive type. Furthermore, while the adhesive might be applied in spots or in some other manner, I prefer to employ strips of this material. The strips might be extended in different ways, although I have found the arrangement thereof in parallel relation running lengthwise of the sheets, as indicated by the numeral l3, to be highly desirable for a number of reasons which will appear as this description proceeds. For instance, the spacedparallel relation of the adhesive strips permits the backing sheet I 2 to bow outwardly somewhat therebetween when plastic material is applied, as appears clearly in a number of the figures. It should be understood, however, that the amount of outward bowing is exaggerated in the showing of at least certain figures, although the invention contemplates sufiicient bowing to provide for keying of the plaster behind the strands and bridges of which the meshwork Ill is composed.

For the backing sheet I may employ any suitable paper or fibrous material. In the preferred form of the invention, the backing sheet is composed of waterproofed paper the nature of which will be mentioned herebelow in connection with Figure 4, although it is pointed out at this time that the waterproofed type of paper is desirable because the application of wet plaster thereto will not noticeably weaken it.

The backing sheet may also take the form of Cellophane and it may be quite flexible or have a substantial amount of rigidity, as by employing light cardboard or kraft paper. Still further, if desired, the backing sheet may incorporate some thin metal foil such as aluminum foil, for the purpose of improving the heat insulating qualities of the lathing.

With further reference to the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, my improved lathing is especially suitable for application to metallic studs or similar support members as shown, for

example, at M. Preferably, these studs take the form of channel-shaped members with apertures l5 formed in the channel web in a pattern such as to facilitate insertion of tie wires H5 or other fastening means therethrough when the lath is being applied. The triangular pattern illustrated in Figure 3 is highly effective for the reason that it permits insertion of tie wires at practically any point lengthwise of the stud.

Referring again to the lathing itself, it will be noted (see Figure 1) that the backing sheet is provided with a plurality of perforations II the supports.

which are here shown as being of somewhat elongated shape and spaced in parallel series or rows. Where strengthening ribs H are employed, as in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the rows of apertures I! are preferably arranged to correspond in position with the ribs. Additional rows of'apertures may be employed intermediate the ribs, if desired, but it is pointed out that the positioning of apertures along the line of a rib is useful because it permits the wet plaster, when applied, to pass more freely through the meshwork in the region of the rib and thus to effectively encase and protect the rib Within the plaster. This appears most clearly toward the lower right-hand corner of Figure 3, where the plaster I3 is shown as completely encasing a rib II in the region of an aperture ll.

Another and highly important advantage of the apertured type of backing sheet resides in the fact that attachment of the lath to the studs is thereby greatly facilitated. In the first place, the studs will be visible through the apertures and, in addition, the tie wires 86 may very readily be inserted through the apertures so as to encircle a portion of the sup-porting stud, whereas it would be difiicult and highly impracticable to attempt to puncture the backing sheet at each point where a tie wire is applied.

The arrangement of the apertures along the line of strengthening ribs, where these are employed, is desirable for the reason that it facilitates more direct attachment of the ribs to In this connection, substantially direct attachment is produced by passing a tie wire through the meshwork only, at a point close to. a rib (see the lower right-hand corner of Fig ure 1), since the rib is fastened to the mesh.

Figures 1 and 3 further illustrate the advantage that the tie wires may be inserted at any one of a large number of points with reference to the lath itself, as well as with reference to the studs,

so that maximum facility in attachment is afforded. In this connection note that the portions |2a of the backing sheet between adjacent apertures I! are not of sufficient width to interfere with application of tie wires. The wires, in fact, may readily be applied entirely within a single aperture (as at the lower right-hand corner of Figure 1) or between apertures where a portion l2a of the backing sheet overlies a stud M (as at the lower left-hand corner of Figure 1). This latter condition also appears toward the left of Figure 2.

With further reference to the arrangement of apertures l1 and adhesive strips [3, I prefer to have all of these lying in parallel zones and, in addition; there is an advantage in employing a series of apertures in such an arrangement in stead of a backing sheet having a complete strip cut out. With regard to this, note that the portions lid of the sheet, in effect, become tie members which join portions of the backing sheet lying at opposite sides of each series of openings. If the sheet was merely completely out out along the line of a row of openings, it would be necessary to position the adhesive strips it much closer to this line in order to prevent the wet plaster, when applied, from forcing the edges of the backing strips completely away from the metal meshwork. As seen especially toward the right side of Figure 2, the strips 52a act as tie members which prevent excessive outward bowing of the sheet when plaster is applied, even though the adhesive strips [3 are spaced appreciably from the row of apertures. In this Way I am enabled to keep down the number of adhesive strips necessary to a minimum, while still retaining effective attachment of the backing sheet to the meshwork.

Still another feature of the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, is that the backing sheet is provided with a multiplicity of small perforations, indentations or projections of the type which may be produced by knurling. This knurling is shown at IS in Figure 3, and it will further be seen that the knurling is arranged in strips corresponding to the dimensions and extension of the strips I3 of adhesive material. The nature of the adhesive material which I prefer to employ has already been discussed above, but it should be noted at this point that the meshwork III and the perforated or knurled portions of the backing sheet are pressed together with the adhesive therebetween so as to at least partially embed the strands of the meshwork and the projections of the knurling in the adhesive. This provides a keying of the meshwork to the adhesive and of the backing sheet to the adhesive, so that even if the asphaltic compound employed is one which becomes relatively brittle in lower temperature ranges, an effective bond and attachment is still maintained.

If desired, the entire backing sheet may be provided with fine perforations which, in the areas not covered by the adhesive material, would also serve the function of breather holes which would aid drying out of the wet plaster.

In the arrangement of Figures 4 and 5 the meshwork ID is again shown as being of the r diamond mesh expanded metal type, although in this instance the meshwork is not provided with strengthening ribs. Figures 4 and 5 also illustrate the manner in which this type of mesh may be employed in association with a backing sheet I 2b having apertures Ila therein similar to those of Figures 1 to 3. In this instance the apertures are arranged between at least some of the adhesive strips I3.

Figures 4 and 5 furthermore illustrate the type of backing paper which I prefer to employ in the arrangement of these views as well as in other arrangements including that of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive. This paper includes a pair of fibrous sheets fill-20 between which a layer of waterproofing material 2| is positioned. This waterproofing may be composed of any suitable tarry or asphaltic compound.

In Figures 6 and '7 I have illustrated a somewhat difierent means for keying the adhesive to the backing sheet. In these views, hemp yarn or cord 22 is employed. Such yarn may be embedded in the adhesive strips I3 or if desired the yarn may be dipped in or impregnated with adhesive material and then pressed between the lathing and the backing sheet, in which latter case the yarn serves as a vehicle for the adhesive, that is, as a means for bringing the adhesive between the lath and the backing sheet. Also, the yarn may be attached in some manner to the backing sheet, as by projecting loops 23 thereof through the sheet at spaced points. Where these loops are employed the adhesive material I3 is preferably applied in strips over the loops and in this way a highly effective means is provided for increasing the bond between the backing sheet and the adhesive and thus preventing cracking off of the adhesive even at very low temperatures.

While I prefer the arrangement of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, a number of advantages of the invention may also be secured by applying the backing sheet I2c in the form of strips between the strengthening ribs I l, as is disclosed in Figure 8. This form will leave elongated unbacked areas in the region of each strengthening rib, as clearly appears in Figure 8, and in this instance the adhesive strips I3 are preferably so arranged as to provide attachment of the backing sheet to the lath at least along theopposite edges of each one of the strips I20 of the backing.

Figure 9 is a detail view illustrating the application of a completely imperforate backing sheet to the meshwork of the ribbed type. In this form the backing sheet I2d is attached by means of adhesive strips I3 running along each side of the ribs I I in spaced relation so as to permit a certain degree of outward bowing of the backing sheet over the rib and thus provide for substantially complete encasement of the ribs in the plaster, as in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive and Figure 8. This arrangement is of advantage in'providing most elfective Waterproofing.

The adhesive material, in all instances, is preferably applied in a relatively hot and therefore fluid state.

I claim:

1. A partition or similar structure including studs or similar support devices having apertures therethrough intermediate the side edges, metal meshwork arranged at a side of said studs and having strengthening ribs extended at an angle to the studs, a backing sheet interposed between the metal meshwork and the studs and apertured along spaced lines extended at an angle to the studs, and means fastening the meshwork to the studs including an element projecting through the meshwork in the region of an aperture in said backing sheet and engaged in an aperture in a stud.

2. A partition or similar structure including studs or similar support devices having apertures therethrough intermediate the side edges, metal meshwork arranged at a side of said studs, an apertured backing sheet between the metal meshwork and the studs, means for securing the backing sheet and meshwork to each other in zones which are elongated in a direction extending at an angle to the studs, and means fastening the meshwork to the studs including an element projecting through the meshwork in the region of an aperture in-said backing sheet and engaged in an aperture in a stud.

3. A plaster base including metal meshwork and a backing sheet, the latter of which is imperforate throughout a major portion of its total area but which is provided with a series of apertures arranged in spaced relation in an elongated zone, and adhesive means lying between the meshwork and the backing sheet for securing the backing sheet and the meshwork to each other, the adhesive means being located in a strip or strips spaced from said elongated zone.

4. A plaster base including metal meshwork and a backing sheet, the latter of which is provided with a plurality of spaced and parallel series of apertures each one of which series incorporates a plurality of elongated apertures arranged with their major axes substantially in alignment, whereby to disclose the location of spaced studs or other support members when the plaster base is placed adjacent the studs, to be fastened thereto, with the series of apertures extended at an angle to the studs.

5. A plaster base including metal meshwork and a backing sheet, the latter of which is provided with a plurality of spaced and parallel series of apertures, and strips of adhesive material interposed between the meshwork and backing sheet and securing them to each other, said strips being disposed between and spaced from said series of apertures.

6. Lathing or the like including a sheet of foraminous material, abacking sheet, and adhesive material lying between the two sheets for securing them to each other, the adhesive material being arranged in strips.

'7; Lathing or the like including a foraminous sheet, a backing sheet, adhesive material lying between the sheets for securing them together, and means for keying the adhesive material to the backing sheet.

8. Lathing or the like including a foraminous sheet, a backing sheet, adhesive material for securing the sheets together, and means providing projections on the surface of the backing sheet for increasing the bond between the adhesive material and the backing sheet.

9. Lathing or the like including a foraminous sheet, a backing sheet, and adhesive material for securing the sheets together, the backing sheet having means projecting therefrom for keying the adhesive material to the backing sheet.

10. Lathing or the like including a foraminous sheet, a backing, sheet, a fibrous element between said sheets, and adhesive material surrounding or impregnating said element and securing the foraminous and backing sheets to each other.

11. Lathing or the like including a foraminous sheet incorporating elongated strengthening elements, backing means for said sheet applied thereto in spaced strips located between said elements, and strips of adhesive material between said elements securing said means to said sheet.

12. Material of the character described incorporating expanded metal lathing, a fibrous backing sheet for the lathing and spaced strips of adhesive material lying between the metal lathing and said sheet for securing them together, said sheet being provided with means for keying the adhesive thereto in the region of said strips.

13. A plaster base adapted to be fastened to spaced studs or other similar supports, said base including metal meshwork and a backing sheet, the latter of which is imperforate throughout a major portion of its total area but which is provided with a plurality of series of apertures located in elongated and appreciably spaced zones, the size of the apertures being sufficient to permit insertion of fastening means therethrough, and the distance between the apertures of each series approximating the width of the edge of the studs to which the material is adapted to be fastened, said distance and the size of the apertures being such as readily to disclose the location of studs to which the base is being fastened when it is placed adjacent said studs with the zones of the series of apertures extended at an angle to the studs.

14. A plaster base incorporating a ribbed sheet of metal meshwork, a backing sheet having a row of substantially aligned apertures overlying a rib, and adhesive attachment means securing the backing sheet and the meshwork together adjacent said apertures.

15. A plaster base including a ribbed sheet of metal meshwork and an apertured backing sheet overlying a side of the ribbed sheet, the apertures of the backing sheet being grouped into a plurality of spaced and parallel series, a series of said apertures being located adjacent a. rib and generally parallel thereto.

16. A plaster base including a ribbed sheet of metal meshwork, an apertured backing sheet overlying a side of the ribbed sheet, the apertures of the backing sheet being grouped into a plurality of spaced and parallel series, a series of said apertures being located adjacent a rib and generally parallel thereto, and adhesive material interposed between the backing and meshwork sheets adjacent said apertures and securing the two sheets together.

1'7 A plaster base incorporating a ribbed sheet of metal meshwork, a backing sheet overlying a side of the ribbed sheet and having a row of substantially aligned apertures lying along a rib, and means for securing the meshwork and the backing sheet to each other along a line gen-- erally paralleling said rib.

18. A partition or similar structure including studs or similar support devices, metal meshwork arranged at a side of said studs, an apertured backing sheet between the metal meshwork and the studs, means for securing the backing sheet and meshwork to each other in zones which are elongated in a direction extending at an angle to the studs, and means fastening the meshwork to the studs including an element projecting through the meshwork in the region of an aperture in said backing sheet and engaging a stud.

19. A partition or similar structure including studs or similar support devices, a plaster base overlying a side of said studs, said base including metal meshwork and a backing sheet, the latter of which is imperforate throughout a major portion of its total area but which is provided with a plurality of series of apertures located in elongated and appreciably spaced zones extended at an angle to the studs, the distance between the apertures of each series approximating the width of the edge of the studs to which the material is adapted to be fastened, said distance and the size of the apertures being such as readily to disclose the location of studs behind the base, and means fastening the meshwork to the studs including an element projecting through the meshwork in the region of an aperture in said backing sheet and engaging a stud.

20. A new article of manufacture comprising metallic lathing having secured thereto a back- L ing of transparent and water-proof material.

21. A new article of manufacture comprising metallic lathing formed to anchor plastic material between it and a plane surface in contact with such lathing, and a backing sheet of transparent and water-proof material secured to said lathing.

22. A new article of manufacture comprising metallic lathing formed to anchor plastic material between it and a plane surface in contact with such lathing, and a backing sheet of transparent and water-proof material secured to said lathing by adhesive.

23. A new article of manufacture comprising metallic lathing having secured thereto a backing of transparent and water-proof cellulose material, such as Cellophane.

24. A new article of manufacture comprising metallic lathing formed to anchor plastic material between it and a plane surface in contact with such lathing and a flexible, transparent and water-proof backing sheet of cellulose material, such as Cellophane, secured to said lathing.

THOMAS R. HERBEST, JR. 

